| Instructors  Chief Instructor - Mr. Jobe Groot
| The Director and Chief
Instructor of Mountain Coast Aikikai is Mr. Jobe Groot, 5th dan, Shidoin. Mr. Groot began his serious
study of Aikido in 1979, receiving intensive training under the direction of Dr.
F.I. Ishiyama, 7th dan, Professor
Y. Kawahara, 8th dan, Shihan, and Professor
T.K. Chiba, 8th dan, Shihan.
Groot Sensei formed Mountain Coast
Aikikai (originally
Richmond Aikikai), in 1991, and is the Chief Instructor and the Executive Director
(dojo-cho) of the school. He presently holds the rank of Godan (5th degree
black belt) from Aikikai Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) and Birankai
North America, as well as the teaching certification of Shidoin
(certified instructor).
Groot Sensei is a member of
both the Teacher's Council and the Examination Council of Birankai North America, and also
serves as an Associate Member of the Senior Council of the organization. |
Jobe Groot, 5th dan, Shidoin
Photo: Mountain Coast Aikikai |
In addition to many years of
training in Aikido, Mr. Groot has also trained in other martial arts and body-mind
disciplines, including: Jujitsu, Kenjutsu, Iaido, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan),
Qigong (Chi Kung), Zazen (Zen Buddhist meditation), Yogic meditation, Hatha
Yoga and Pilates.
Groot Sensei has been a guest
instuctor at seminars and training intensives in Canada, the United States, Europe and
South-East Asia.
Assistant Instructors
Selected classes at Mountain Coast
Aikikai are taught by qualified assistant instructors. The assistant instructors at
Mountain Coast Aikikai are all experienced Aikidoists. Each has trained at Mountain Coast
Aikikai for over 15 years and is a holder of black belt rank recognized by Aikikai Hombu Dojo
(Aikido World Headquarters) and Birankai
North America. |
